Fresh Produce Sector: This Is The Moment To Get It Right

Keir Starmer’s decision to step down as Prime Minister has opened the door to what farming and fresh produce leaders hope will be a meaningful reset in government thinking on food security, rural business and Britain’s global supply chains.

Starmer announced on Monday, 22 June, that he intends to resign as both Prime Minister and Labour leader, less than two years after entering Downing Street following Labour’s general election victory in July 2024.

His departure has immediately triggered debate across agriculture and the wider food sector over what comes next, with Greater Manchester’s former mayor Andy Burnham, now Labour MP for Makerfield, widely viewed as the frontrunner to succeed him.

For British farmers, much of the focus has been on inheritance tax reform and the impact of recent policy decisions on family farms and rural confidence. Burnham has previously indicated that he would be willing to “revisit” the family farm tax proposals, saying farmers’ voices must be heard.

However, for the fresh produce industry, the change in leadership also presents another urgent opportunity: to get border policy right before avoidable costs, delays and food security risks become locked into the UK’s future trading system.

The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has warned that the Government’s proposed UK-EU SPS agreement risks easing some trade friction with the European Union while placing new burdens on Rest of World supply chains that are vital to keeping UK shelves stocked with fresh fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and plants all year round.

Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of FPC, has repeatedly warned that fresh produce must not become collateral damage in a politically driven reset with Brussels.

Jenney says the UK should pursue practical improvements to EU trade, but not at the expense of trusted global supply chains that already deliver safe, affordable and diverse fresh produce to British consumers.

According to FPC analysis, up to four million tonnes of imported goods — around half of UK fresh produce imports — could fall within the scope of expanded controls. These could include additional phytosanitary certification, pre-notification requirements, extra reporting systems, post-import checks, operational delays and, in some cases, much higher inspection rates.

The organisation argues that this approach is unnecessary when the UK already operates a risk-based SPS system with extremely high compliance across tens of thousands of consignments annually.

For perishable produce, delays are not a minor administrative irritation. They can shorten shelf life, reduce quality, increase waste, disrupt availability and push costs through the supply chain.

Products such as citrus, mangoes, blueberries, sweet potatoes, peppers and many more rely on speed, predictability and precision. Any additional friction at the border ultimately risks being felt by businesses and consumers alike.

FPC has estimated that the additional burden on the sector could exceed £300 million, covering government fees, certification costs, logistics, spoilage and investment in new compliance systems.

That warning now sits alongside wider calls from rural leaders for the next Prime Minister to rebuild trust with farming and countryside businesses.

Gavin Lane, president of the Country Land and Business Association, said a change in Prime Minister “must mark the beginning of a rural reset”, arguing that the next leader should deliver a more ambitious plan for the rural economy, restore confidence and support investment.

For the fresh produce sector, that reset must go beyond inheritance tax and domestic farming policy. It must include a clear commitment to protect the international supply routes that underpin Britain’s year-round food security.

The UK does not produce everything it consumes. Its fresh produce supply depends on both domestic growers and carefully managed global imports. That makes border policy a food security issue, not just a trade technicality.

The next Prime Minister will inherit a chance to correct course.

For FPC, the message is clear: the Government can still design a system that supports smoother UK-EU trade while maintaining proportionate, evidence-based controls for Rest of World imports destined for UK consumers.

That would mean protecting consumers from unnecessary inflation, reducing waste, supporting businesses and safeguarding the diversity of fresh produce available across the country.

As the political transition begins, the fresh produce industry will be looking for more than warm words. It will want urgent engagement, practical solutions and a government willing to listen before decisions are finalised.

This is another chance for Downing Street to get it right — not only for farmers, but for every business and household that depends on a secure, affordable and resilient fresh produce supply.